Secretary Hao to Speak During Merrimack Valley Chamber’s Spring Business Expo Lunch

To submit Business Bulletin announcements, click on image.Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao addresses business leaders during lunch at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Spring Business Expo, Health and Wellness Fair. Hao, who was appointed last year by Gov. Maura Healey, will join a local panel of area leaders. The lunch takes place Wednesday, April 3, from noon- 1:15 p.m., at Phoenician Restaurant, 12 Alpha St., off Routes 110-113, Haverhill. Attendance is $35 each for members or $50 for non-members and registration may be made online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Merrimack Valley Credit Union Celebrate 𝜋 Day with Pie

Merrimack Valley Credit Union celebrated Pi Day with members and the community by handing out individual Table Talk pies at its 19 retail branches and delivering pies to some of the credit union’s Select Employer Group partners. Pi Day, first celebrated in 1988, honors the mathematical constant, 𝜋, commonly written as the numerals 3.14. The credit union joined in on the fun by ordering more than 3,100 assorted flavors of pies—the edible kind—and distributing them at retail branches. Members were welcomed with pie displays and were able to pick their favorite flavor of pie to take with them. “Celebrating Pi Day with our members is something we look forward to each year,” says Mike Davis, the credit union’s community relations officer.

FEMA to Reimburse Lawrence General Hospital Nearly $1.2 Million for Pandemic Staffing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reimbursing Lawrence General Hospital almost $1.2 million for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 189-bed general hospital for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked to respond to the surge in patents caused by pandemic between March and July 2020. Lawrence General Hospital paid 759 medical personnel, including registered nurses, certified medical assistants, lab technicians, surgical technicians, paramedics and pharmacy technicians for a total of 42,010 hours worked treating confirmed or suspected COVID patients. “FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Lawrence General Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county and municipal governments—as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities—for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.8 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

Banks Pledge Support for Northern Essex Early College Seacoast Promise Eastward Expansion

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Northern Essex Community College’s Early College, already operating in Greater Haverhill and Lawrence, received recognition Tuesday as it expands eastward to additional high schools with local business support. Building on the success of the Lawrence and Haverhill Promise Programs, the new Seacoast Promise will provide full tuition, fees and books to Early College graduates from Seacoast area high schools who wish to complete their associate degree at Northern Essex. In a ceremony Tuesday, leaders from Northern Essex, Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank and surrounding communities celebrated the launch at Newburyport Bank’s State Street location. Local high school guidance counselors were also in attendance, along with students who spoke about the benefits of Early College and affordable higher education. The expansion was made possible by a pledge of $250,000 from Newburyport Bank and $50,000 from Institution for Savings.

Anna Jaques Hospital Grant to Link House Backs Regional Mental Health, Substance Abuse Programs

Anna Jaques Hospital recently awarded a three-year grant through its community-based Health Initiative to Link House to support mental health and substance use initiatives. The approximately $82,000 grant enables Amesbury-based Link House to implement Wellness Delivered, a comprehensive behavioral health education program. The program seeks to expand the reach of Link House’s outpatient services to low-resourced populations in Haverhill, Salisbury, Amesbury, Newburyport and Merrimac. “Anna Jaques Hospital is committed to supporting programs that positively and meaningfully improve the lives of our community members,” said Dr. Glenn Focht, president of Anna Jaques Hospital. “We are thrilled to support Link House in its efforts to assist vulnerable populations by educating individuals and addressing mental health and substance use needs throughout the region.”

“We are grateful for the chance to partner with Anna Jaques Hospital on this initiative that will allow us to get out into the community to meet with people where they live,” said Link House Executive Director Chris Turner.

Merrimack Valley Chamber Seeking Exhibitors Before Friday’s Early Bird Deadline

The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is signing up exhibitors for its Spring Business Expo, Health and Wellness Fair taking place April 3. Exhibitors receive 8- by 6- foot tables and two chairs with optional double or corner booths, breakfast, hot lunch and after-expo networking and other benefits. Standard spaces for Chamber members are $325 if ordered before Friday, March 15, or $425 after. Non-members pay $425 before Friday and $525 afterwards. The Spring Business Expo, Health and Wellness Fair takes place Wednesday, April 3, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., at Michael’s Function Hall, 12 Alpha St., off Routes 110-113, Haverhill.

Pentucket Bank Promotes Denu to Executive Vice President and CFO

Karl Denu was recently promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer at Pentucket Bank. Denu has more than 22 years of banking experience and most recently as senior vice president and CFO at Pentucket Bank. In his new role, he manages staff and activities of finance and assumes responsibility for directing accounting and financial reporting. Denu is responsible for keeping the CEO and president informed of major operational developments, consulting with them regarding major decisions affecting the bank, overseeing management of the bank’s investment portfolio and making financial and other presentations to the executive committee and board of directors. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse.

Wellness Hot Yoga Offers Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga Class

Wellness Hot Yoga is offering a weekly prenatal and postpartum yoga class. Prenatal yoga is designed for pregnant women to practice regardless of due date and to support new mothers in post-delivery recovery. The mixture of stretching, controlled breathing and mental focus offers a variety of benefits to expectant mothers. This form of yoga can increase strength and flexibility in muscles used during childbirth. The program takes place Wednesdays, from noon-1 p.m., at Wellness Hot Yoga, 34 Merrimack St., Haverhill.